The Modern Dating Glossary

Disappearing acts

ghosting

Cutting off all contact with no explanation — no reply, no goodbye. The most common modern dating exit.

slow fade

A gradual version of ghosting: replies get shorter and slower until contact quietly stops.

zombieing

When someone who ghosted you suddenly reappears in your messages as if nothing happened.

haunting

An ex or old match who never messages but keeps watching and liking your stories/posts.

orbiting

They stopped talking to you but still engage with your social media — circling without landing.

Mixed-signal behaviors

breadcrumbing

Sending just enough sporadic interest (a like, a flirty text) to keep you hooked with no intention of committing.

benching

Keeping someone as a backup option — enough attention to stay on the roster, never a real date.

cushioning

Lining up backup romantic options while in a relationship or talking stage, in case it ends.

paperclipping

Periodically resurfacing to get attention or an ego boost, then disappearing again.

love bombing

Overwhelming someone early with affection, gifts and attention to fast-track intimacy — often a manipulation pattern.

micro-cheating

Small behaviors that breach a relationship boundary without a full affair — secret flirty DMs, hiding a chat.

Stages & status

talking stage

The early, undefined phase of getting to know someone before you are officially dating.

situationship

A romantic relationship with no defined label, commitment or clear direction.

DTR

Short for "define the relationship" — the conversation that turns a situationship into something explicit.

soft launch

Hinting at a new partner on social media without fully revealing them (a hand, a shadow, a meal for two).

hard launch

Publicly and clearly revealing your relationship on social media.

ENM / polyamory

Ethical non-monogamy: consensually dating more than one person, with everyone informed and on board.

FWB

"Friends with benefits" — a casual, physical relationship without romantic commitment.

NSA

"No strings attached" — casual dating or hookups with no expectation of commitment.

Flags & signals

red flag

A warning sign of likely problems — controlling behavior, dishonesty, pressure, or hostility.

green flag

A positive sign of a healthy partner — clear communication, respect for boundaries, consistency.

beige flag

Not bad, not great — a quirky or boring trait that makes you pause without being a dealbreaker.

App culture

catfishing

Using fake or heavily misleading photos and details to misrepresent who you are.

swipe fatigue

The burnout and decision-exhaustion that comes from endless swiping with low payoff.

cuffing season

The fall-to-winter stretch when people seek a steady partner to "cuff" for the colder months.

sliding into the DMs

Privately messaging someone you are interested in, often via social media rather than a dating app.

Dating terms — FAQ